Santee Lakes Dam dam
Santee Lakes Dam
Santee Lakes Dam, located in Calhoun, South Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1996, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 460 feet, providing a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-Big Poplar Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2017, Santee Lakes Dam poses a moderate risk level (3) and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 8 acres, offering recreational opportunities in addition to its irrigation function. Despite its modest size, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region, contributing to the sustainability of water resources in South Carolina.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Santee Lakes Dam serves as a testament to the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams to mitigate potential risks and ensure efficient water resource management. Its presence on Big Poplar Creek underscores the interconnectedness of water systems and the need for sustainable practices in the face of changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find the story of Santee Lakes Dam to be a compelling example of the intersection between human development and environmental stewardship.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Santee Lakes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 602 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| Edisto River Nr Givhans | 477 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Santee Lakes Dam.
Boat launches
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
- Santee Drive Orangeburg County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
- Red Bank Road 184, Orangeburg County
Campgrounds
- Santee State Park
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Poinsett State Park
- Bluff Campground
- Longleaf Campground
- Falcons Nest Military - Shaw Afb
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Santee Lakes Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Santee Lakes Dam
Where does the data for Santee Lakes Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Santee Lakes Dam.